An old cargo vessel M.V.ViswaVinay built in 1951, converted by refitting at Tyne Shipyard, U.K. and commissioned in June 1983 as R.V. Samudra Manthan (RVSM), for reconnaissance mapping and surveys in the EEZ of India. RVSM has limited endurance of 25 days with basic survey equipments and sampling components. RVSM has done meritorious service to the nation for 30 years which helped GSI to complete 98% of the sea bed survey of Indian EEZ on reconnaissance scale. The surveys carried out onboard RVSM helped in locating lime mud, phosphorite nodules, manganese micro nodules and indication of sulphide mineralisation, potential hydrocarbon accumulations as well as in geological exploration of some sectors of international waters like Carlsberg Ridge, Northern Indian Ocean and parts of Ninety-East Ridge. The vessel was fitted with multibeam survey system in 2007 and later on detailed bathymetric surveys covering extensive areas were done using the vessel. R. V. Samudra Manthan was decommissioned on 2014.

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